NEWARK, NJ, August 16, 2002 -- NJ TRANSIT and 21st Century Rail Corporation have reached another milestone in the construction of the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system.

Effective today, the light rail system's new catenary wires between Newport Station in Jersey City and Hoboken Terminal -- and on a section of track between the Newport viaduct and Grove Street -- have been energized to prepare for the opening of service to Hoboken. The overhead wires -- which provide electrical power to Hudson-Bergen Light Rail vehicles -- are powered with 750 volts of electricity.

The testing of light rail vehicles on this new section of track will begin in approximately one week, following a thorough test period for the catenary and signal systems.

As construction, installation and electrification of the 750-volt overhead catenary wire system continues, the public is reminded to exercise extreme caution around the light rail system. Contractors working near the light rail alignment also must comply with the High-Voltage Proximity Act which requires that cranes and other construction equipment be kept at least six feet away from high voltage lines.

Other safety precautions when walking or driving near Hudson-Bergen Light Rail tracks are:

Cross light rail tracks only at designated areas such as sidewalk or street crossings.

Pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists must be careful when approaching intersections crossed by the light rail system.

Currently, Hudson-Bergen Light Rail serves 15 stations between 34th Street in Bayonne and Newport in Jersey City, and between West Side Avenue and Newport in Jersey City. The final station stop of Minimum Operating Segment One (MOS-1), Hoboken Terminal Station will connect Hudson-Bergen Light Rail with NJ TRANSIT commuter trains, NJ TRANSIT and private carrier buses, the PATH system and New York Waterway ferry service.

NJ TRANSIT is the nation's largest statewide public transportation system providing more than 761,000 daily trips on 238 bus routes, two light rail lines and 12 commuter rail lines. It is the third largest transit system in the country with 163 rail stations, 27 light rail stations and more than 17,000 bus stops linking major points in New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.